Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Liar, Liar
As reported by The Suburbanite on August 19, 2010:
Etz Chaim President Robert Erlich wrote in an e-mail that the community liaison position is not unique to this application, but that the BOA has required such a position for similar applications.
"We are pleased with the approval and we will comply with all conditions imposed," Erlich wrote.
Those were the WRITTEN words of Mr. Robert Erlich, president of Etz Chaim of Teaneck. Really? You will comply with EVERYTHING and are PLEASED with the approval?
Last night, at the BOA meeting to memorialize their decision regarding the approval of the variance and the restrictions that Robert Erlich wrote that Etz Chaim will comply with, Etz Chaim's lawyer tried to continue to push through changes to the restrictions placed on Etz Chaim. Sources reported that Robert Erlich yelled at Mr.Rosen of the BOA that he must approve the changes and memorialize them now. Robert yelled at the same BOA member that chastised Etz Chaim for their unethical actions and negative behaviors towards the neighbors. Will the BOA require a liason between the BOA and Etz Chaim and leaders get up 2 times a year to preach tolerance towards the BOA? Yelling at the people from whom you are requesting a favor is idiocy. The BOA did not memorialize any changes. Afterall, Robert is pleased with the original approval and will comply with everything. If not, he is a big fat liar!
Robert did not provide a verbal quote for the article voicing his acceptance of the BOA's decision, he EMAILED it. What changed since that email?
As reported in the previous post, Rabbi Daniel Feldman will be chasing the money and officiate selikhot at the Young Israel of Plainview. It appears that the ramifications of the restriction against conducting services outside of Shabbat and Yom Tov has sunk in and Etz Chaim is now fighting to get it removed. Robert Erlich has gone on record calling Etz Chaim a Private Prayer Group and Rabbi Feldman has gone on record that Etz Chaim only uses the house 3% of the week. They asked for it and they forcibly fought for it. Now they have to live with the result of their actions and their absentee Rabbi.
Sometimes you get EXACTLY what you request.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Well Excuuuuuuuuuuse Me!
It has been a hard uphill battle for Etz Chaim to be able earn the right from Teaneck Township to exercise their Religious Freedoms at 544 Queen Anne Rd and wresling Rabbi Daniel Feldman from the grip of those Jewish Center conservative people.
Rabbi Daniel Feldman is the Mara D'Atra of Etz Chaim of Teaneck and as they enter this important awe inspiring part of the Jewish Calendar, he will be there for them to lead and guide Etz Chaim through important services surrounding the High Holidays. The members of Etz Chaim will proudly be able to hear Rabbi Daniel Feldman speak and pontificate on the Laws and feelings surrounding Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. They will hear him address Etz Chaim about the meaning of true forgiveness and getting a true selikhah and kapparah from their fellow congregants and maybe even G-d himself. They will partake in a feast before Selichot on Motzei Shabbat to fill their stomachs while Rabbi Daniel Feldman fills their ears with Torah. Selichot night promises to be the best and most awesomest 1st night of Selichot EVER for Etz Chaim of Teaneck in their short existence as a religious group recognized by the BOA of Teaneck.
This 1st night of Selichot event promises to be the pinnacle of Rabbi Daniel Feldman's leadership of Etz Chaim of Teaneck to date! True Religious Freedom will shine on him and Etz Chaim in
Now appearing at the Young Israel of Plainview:
YIP Selichos Night Program Motzei Shabbos September 4 Sponsored in memory of Cantor Kalman Chaitovsky
YIP Welcomes Yeshiva University's Rabbi Daniel Feldman, noted scholar and author.
10:00PM - Dinner and Discussion of Sources; 11:00PM - Shiur by Rabbi Feldman (TBA)12:00AM - Selichos
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is an instructor of Talmud and Jewish Studies at the Stone Beit Midrash Program of Yeshiva University,
and serves as the Director of Rabbinic Research at YU's Center for the Jewish Future. He is an alumnus of Yeshivat Kerem B'Yavneh
and received his ordination (Yoreh Yoreh and Yadin Yadin) from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary, where
he was a fellow of the Bella and Harry Wexner Kollel Elyon. Rabbi Feldman is the spiritual leader of Etz Chaim
of Teaneck, NJ, where he resides with his wife, Leah, and their children
At least they advertised that he is the Rabbi of Etz Chaim of Teaneck.
Why are you paying Rabbi Daniel Feldman a salary if he ditches you on an important night of religious spirituality and need for Rabbinic leadership to inspire you to attain forgiveness from Hashem? Mortgage, Anti-Semitism and public chastising from BOA members is a steep price to pay for an Absentee Rabbi.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
It Must Be Real It's in Newspapers.
This posting will be updated as more articles are printed.
I will be excerpting part of each article to highlight important parts
and inconsistencies between the writers. You can click on the links for complete articles.
1. BOA approves Etz Chaim variances; restrictions apply - Teaneck Suburbanite
Thursday, August 19, 2010
BY HOWARD PROSNITZ
TEANECK - After months of contentious hearings, the Board of Adjustment on Aug. 11 approved variances sought by Etz Chaim, an Orthodox Jewish organization, giving it the status of a house of worship and permitting it to hold religious services on its premises at 554 Queen Anne Road. However, the BOA imposed several restrictions on the organization’s use of the one family residentially-zoned home.
A super majority of five votes was required to approve the application, which included variances for parking and the use of a kitchen. With three members recusing themselves, including BOA chair Anne Senter, and two absent, only five voting members were left on the dais. A single negative vote would have blocked the application.
On at least one occasion during the hearings, Edward Trawinski, attorney for Etz Chaim, threatened to sue the township for discrimination.
Some of the restrictions imposed by the BOA limits religious services to the Sabbath and Jewish holidays and prohibits weekday morning and evening services; restricts life events (weddings, bar mitzvahs, funerals) to members of the congregation, prohibits cooking or catering, limits classes and workshops to one a month and prohibits signs without further application to the board. The BOA also required that Etz Chaim designate one of its members as liaison to the community and that the congregation’s leaders remind members at least twice a year to respect neighbors’ privacy.
But Ritvo said that the board could not restrict the congregation from applying for expansion in the future.
"The board cannot deny them the right to come back," he said.
Etz Chaim President Robert Erlich wrote in an e-mail that the community liaison position is not unique to this application, but that the BOA has required such a position for similar applications.
"We are pleased with the approval and we will comply with all conditions imposed," Erlich wrote.
Neighbors of 554 Queen Anne Road, a house that Etz Chaim acquired from Mario Guralink, a member of the congregation, have contended that the group has dealt duplicitously with them and with the township, conducting full scale, regularly scheduled religious services since 2007 while claiming that the house was the residence of Rabbi Daniel Feldman who, according to the neighbors, conducted private prayer meetings in his family room.
Guralink retains ownership of an adjacent house at 576 Queen Anne Road and neighbors are concerned that the two houses will eventually be combined, or both demolished, to construct a large synagogue at the site.
In 2007, a family room was added to the house and other substantial renovations were made. The family room, which contains an Ark and Torah scrolls, is used for services. In August 2008, Township building official Steven Gluck ordered the organization to cease from conducting public worship in the house. Following Gluck’s order, Etz Chaim filed the application for a BOA hearing. The congregation had been permitted to continue to hold services pending the outcome of the hearings.
As far back as 2007 a petition signed by 78 neighbors alleging that the house was being used illegally for religious services was presented to township officials.
Months prior to Etz Chaim’s application to the BOA, the organization had produced a brochure requiring members and new members to contribute $5,000 toward a building fund.
BOA member Harvey Rosen, who voted "reluctantly" in favor of the application, chastised the congregation’s leaders from the dais.
"From the first meeting it has been evident that the applicant has exhibited reprehensible behavior. As a member of their religion I am ashamed at some of their behavior," he said at the hearing.
He noted that in his seven years on the BOA he has dealt other contentious and emotional cases involving houses of worship. But in every other case, he said, the community and the applicant have resolved their differences.
"From day one when they began operating as a quasi-not for profit their behavior has been surreptitious and anything but forthcoming," he said.
He urged the township officials to be vigilant in enforcement of the restrictions: "Perhaps more vigilant than in other cases because of the behavior that the applicant has exhibited."
In an interview, Griggs Avenue resident Janet Abbott, one of the protesting neighbors, said that the BOA’s decision was fair.
"The fact that they had a number of stipulations reflected some of the concerns we raised. We are pleased that we were heard and we are glad for the congregation that they can have their services and that everything is above board," Abbott said.
E-mail: suburbanite@northjersey.com
TEANECK - After months of contentious hearings, the Board of Adjustment on Aug. 11 approved variances sought by Etz Chaim, an Orthodox Jewish organization, giving it the status of a house of worship and permitting it to hold religious services on its premises at 554 Queen Anne Road. However, the BOA imposed several restrictions on the organization’s use of the one family residentially-zoned home.
A super majority of five votes was required to approve the application, which included variances for parking and the use of a kitchen. With three members recusing themselves, including BOA chair Anne Senter, and two absent, only five voting members were left on the dais. A single negative vote would have blocked the application.
On at least one occasion during the hearings, Edward Trawinski, attorney for Etz Chaim, threatened to sue the township for discrimination.
Some of the restrictions imposed by the BOA limits religious services to the Sabbath and Jewish holidays and prohibits weekday morning and evening services; restricts life events (weddings, bar mitzvahs, funerals) to members of the congregation, prohibits cooking or catering, limits classes and workshops to one a month and prohibits signs without further application to the board. The BOA also required that Etz Chaim designate one of its members as liaison to the community and that the congregation’s leaders remind members at least twice a year to respect neighbors’ privacy.
But Ritvo said that the board could not restrict the congregation from applying for expansion in the future.
"The board cannot deny them the right to come back," he said.
Etz Chaim President Robert Erlich wrote in an e-mail that the community liaison position is not unique to this application, but that the BOA has required such a position for similar applications.
"We are pleased with the approval and we will comply with all conditions imposed," Erlich wrote.
Neighbors of 554 Queen Anne Road, a house that Etz Chaim acquired from Mario Guralink, a member of the congregation, have contended that the group has dealt duplicitously with them and with the township, conducting full scale, regularly scheduled religious services since 2007 while claiming that the house was the residence of Rabbi Daniel Feldman who, according to the neighbors, conducted private prayer meetings in his family room.
Guralink retains ownership of an adjacent house at 576 Queen Anne Road and neighbors are concerned that the two houses will eventually be combined, or both demolished, to construct a large synagogue at the site.
In 2007, a family room was added to the house and other substantial renovations were made. The family room, which contains an Ark and Torah scrolls, is used for services. In August 2008, Township building official Steven Gluck ordered the organization to cease from conducting public worship in the house. Following Gluck’s order, Etz Chaim filed the application for a BOA hearing. The congregation had been permitted to continue to hold services pending the outcome of the hearings.
As far back as 2007 a petition signed by 78 neighbors alleging that the house was being used illegally for religious services was presented to township officials.
Months prior to Etz Chaim’s application to the BOA, the organization had produced a brochure requiring members and new members to contribute $5,000 toward a building fund.
BOA member Harvey Rosen, who voted "reluctantly" in favor of the application, chastised the congregation’s leaders from the dais.
"From the first meeting it has been evident that the applicant has exhibited reprehensible behavior. As a member of their religion I am ashamed at some of their behavior," he said at the hearing.
He noted that in his seven years on the BOA he has dealt other contentious and emotional cases involving houses of worship. But in every other case, he said, the community and the applicant have resolved their differences.
"From day one when they began operating as a quasi-not for profit their behavior has been surreptitious and anything but forthcoming," he said.
He urged the township officials to be vigilant in enforcement of the restrictions: "Perhaps more vigilant than in other cases because of the behavior that the applicant has exhibited."
In an interview, Griggs Avenue resident Janet Abbott, one of the protesting neighbors, said that the BOA’s decision was fair.
"The fact that they had a number of stipulations reflected some of the concerns we raised. We are pleased that we were heard and we are glad for the congregation that they can have their services and that everything is above board," Abbott said.
E-mail: suburbanite@northjersey.com
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Its A PPG!
PPG ≠ Power Play Goal (Sorry Zach)Shluffenheimer MacDougal would like to wish
a hearty Scottish Mazal Tov to
Etz Chaim for getting their approval
from BOA on Wednesday August 11, 2010.
I'm sure there will NOT be a kiddush this week or a special L'chaim to celebrate.
There will be no ticker tape parades down Cedar Lane or Queen Anne Rd. for that matter.
CareOne will not be putting postings on TeaneckShuls to help you with a minyan and NNJ Kids will not make a monthly donation to your PPG.
Based on initial reports from the BOA meeting, Etz Chaim members are POed. They got their approval but there are A LOT of restrictions that they will have to obey.
Personally, I don't understand why they are upset.
From Day 1 President Robert Erlich has claimed that Etz Chaim is a Private Prayer Group and runs within the constraints of a PPG. In a response to an article in The Jerusalem Post Robert Erlich wrote:
A reply from Teaneck
Sir, - Marilyn Henry's article about the Teaneck, New Jersey, Etz Chaim variance hearing egregiously misrepresents and mischaracterizes many of the elements of our situation, and in doing so unfairly terms my testimony either "clever or deceptive" ("A house, or a house of prayer?," December 27). In truth, the article is deceptive in taking the ancillary statement of a technical legal distinction and wrongly portraying it as the relevant question at hand. The distinctions between a private prayer group and a house of worship, in our case, are numerous and not at all accurately depicted in this column. Our group meets at the rabbi's house only on days when driving is forbidden, meeting at all other times and for all other functions at other locations; no other synagogue-type functions take place at the house, which is not the mailing address or corporate office of the organization; the house is a full-time, round-the-clock private residence of a family of five, maintaining a residential look, with no permanent fixtures of a house of worship; among several other distinctions.
The Rabbi of this PPG, Rabbi Feldman, claimed in The Jewish Standard that:
The rabbi disputed the change-of-use argument saying that of the 168 hours in a week, only five are devoted to religious services at the house, which are held Friday night and Saturday morning and afternoon. “That’s 3 percent of the time,” he said. “It is our understanding, confirmed in two meetings with the township, that [a] prayer group in the house is a permitted residential use. Thus, we do not believe that the use has been changed in any way.”
Coincidentally, again based on early reports, most of the stipulations that the BOA have attached to Etz Chaim's approval are consistent with Robert Erlich and Rabbi Feldman's descriptions of what Etz Chaim of Teaneck really is.
It is a PPG - Private Prayer Group!
So, Mazal Tov to Etz Chaim of Teaneck on getting township approval to be all the Township will limit them to be, a PPG.
I'm sure there were easier ways to get Rabbi Feldman a house.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Surefire Way To Get Approved on Wednesday
This was forwarded to me and I feel it is good solid vital advice for Etz Chaim, Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman, its moral compass, Robert Erlich, its fearless figurehead president and its planning committee puppets to use on Wednesday at the BOA meeting.
I just applied for a building permit for a new house.
It was going to be 100 ft tall and 400 ft wide with 9 turrets
at various heights and windows all over the place and a
loud outside entertainment sound system.
It would have parking for 200 old cars and I was going
to paint it snot green with tatty pink trim.
The City Council told me to get lost.
So I sent in the application again,
It is a surefire way to get the approvals you need for 554 Queen Anne Rd from the township:
Building permit
I just applied for a building permit for a new house.
It was going to be 100 ft tall and 400 ft wide with 9 turrets
at various heights and windows all over the place and a
loud outside entertainment sound system.
It would have parking for 200 old cars and I was going
to paint it snot green with tatty pink trim.
The City Council told me to get lost.
So I sent in the application again,
but this time I called it a
Mosque.
Work starts on Monday
Mosque.
Work starts on Monday
Monday, August 2, 2010
Big Bash on Queenanne
Summer. The smell of grilling meats permeates the neighborhood. Kids playing and bicycle riding. Its a nice time for neighbors to get together, sit out on lounge chairs and swap stories.
Synagogues hunt for fundraisers that take advantage of the summery feel of August. President Robert Erlich and the planning committee, have I got a fundraiser for you:
The 1st annual 554 Queen Anne Rd, Inc DBA Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck aka. Rabbi Daniel Zvi Feldman's shul aka The Shtibshul Barbeque.
I'm already salivating thinking about it. Your Kiddushes are legen-wait for it-dary, can you imagine what a BBQ would be like?
The venue is important. Once all of your neighbors agree to allowing your BBQ to take place at 554 Queen Anne Rd, you are golden! CareOne is not appropriate due to the hearts and lungs of their clientèle. Every other minute one of the residents will pull the fire alarm because they think they are on fire. Check out my posting on Biur Chametz for more information. Parking will be at a premium. I suggest parking at the safe parking structures in Hackensack and chartering a bus to the Stibshul. Everybody wins!
The menu is also a vital part of the barbecuing experience. After all, what is a BBQ without the food. You should serve:
- In-Ground Steaks (from realtors due to Etz Chaim)
- Pickle Snotsberry SteakBurger (fresh from the Yekusiel's robotic kid's noses)
- Frank Furor (from the neighbors)
- Chickens all types (especially two-faced ones like that Levine chap who got kicked off the JCT board)
- Flies (from the stench the Stibshul has brought to the Teaneck Jewish community)
- Bunion Rings (from walking to shul because NO ONE parks at Etz Chaim on Friday nights)
- Slaw (costs from all of the lawsuits)
- Pot Salad (to defray the costs from the BBQ because everyone has used all their money to pay for the Shtibshul's mortgage)
Don't forget to post it on teaneckshuls. LOL, Who am I kidding?!?!?!?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Thank You Teaneck Thank You
I want to thank everyone for a wonderful Tisha B’Av. I enjoyed synagogue hopping and experiencing the mourning of the destruction of both Temples. The community in Teaneck really came together to show their achdut (togetherness) as a Jewish people. There are some elements in Teaneck that made it even more special and really put me in the right mood.
They say that you don’t really learn something until you experience it for yourself. Let me tell you friends, Teaneck is the destination to truly feel the meaning of Tisha B’Av. The fast day was extra meaningful in Teaneck.
Gilluy Arayot (prohibited sexual relations), a reason for the destruction of the 1st Temple, is very prominent here. Couples are getting divorced because of affairs and wife swapping is rampant. I must admit, Teaneck is not as bad as Monsey because they do not have a Key Club. What is a Key Club? Check the comments if someone asks.
Where else can one experience the true meaning of Sinat Chinam (hatred of others), a reason for the destruction of the 2nd Temple, on a daily basis. Just see how the members of Rabbi Daniel Feldman’s synagogue at 554 Queen Anne Road, Inc. DBA: Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck treat their neighbors, fellow Jews that are local to their location and the Jews of Teaneck at large. They inspire me to pray harder, to tear my clothing in 2 places and to eat extra eggs smothered in delicious ashes.
Teaneck is the place to be for the three weeks, nine days and especially Tisha B’Av. One day, when the Messiah comes, it will be a holiday and we will travel on the wings of eagles to the holy land of Israel. We will all rejoice together in Jerusalem at THE synagogue, the rebuilt 3rd Temple. A Temple not funded by illegitimately obtained monies and based on illegally filed building plans.
Amen!
This posting was brought to you by the letter A, the number 55 and
etzchaimteaneck.blogspot.com and
etzchaimteaneck.org
They say that you don’t really learn something until you experience it for yourself. Let me tell you friends, Teaneck is the destination to truly feel the meaning of Tisha B’Av. The fast day was extra meaningful in Teaneck.
Gilluy Arayot (prohibited sexual relations), a reason for the destruction of the 1st Temple, is very prominent here. Couples are getting divorced because of affairs and wife swapping is rampant. I must admit, Teaneck is not as bad as Monsey because they do not have a Key Club. What is a Key Club? Check the comments if someone asks.
Where else can one experience the true meaning of Sinat Chinam (hatred of others), a reason for the destruction of the 2nd Temple, on a daily basis. Just see how the members of Rabbi Daniel Feldman’s synagogue at 554 Queen Anne Road, Inc. DBA: Congregation Etz Chaim of Teaneck treat their neighbors, fellow Jews that are local to their location and the Jews of Teaneck at large. They inspire me to pray harder, to tear my clothing in 2 places and to eat extra eggs smothered in delicious ashes.
Teaneck is the place to be for the three weeks, nine days and especially Tisha B’Av. One day, when the Messiah comes, it will be a holiday and we will travel on the wings of eagles to the holy land of Israel. We will all rejoice together in Jerusalem at THE synagogue, the rebuilt 3rd Temple. A Temple not funded by illegitimately obtained monies and based on illegally filed building plans.
Amen!
This posting was brought to you by the letter A, the number 55 and
etzchaimteaneck.blogspot.com and
etzchaimteaneck.org
Monday, July 26, 2010
Embarrassed Much?
Yet another speaking engagement without mentioning Rabbi Feldman's greatest achievement yet! and no I am not talking about his Yadin Yadin Semikha.
The AD:
The AD:
Yeshiva University invites you to join us at our next
Summer Breakfast Lecture at Morgan Stanley featuring Rabbi Daniel Feldman
"Understanding the Prohibition of Ribis"
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is an instructor of Talmud and Jewish Studies at the Stone Beit Midrash Program of Yeshiva University, and serves as the Director of Rabbinic Research at YU's Center for the Jewish Future.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Summer Breakfast Lecture at Morgan Stanley featuring Rabbi Daniel Feldman
"Understanding the Prohibition of Ribis"
Rabbi Daniel Z. Feldman is an instructor of Talmud and Jewish Studies at the Stone Beit Midrash Program of Yeshiva University, and serves as the Director of Rabbinic Research at YU's Center for the Jewish Future.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Listen -
If I paid good money to start a synagogue for my friend's lawsuit against a major Jewish Newspaper and others and in the process angered my synagogue's neighbors to the point where they complain to the township, try to destroy a few synagogues to insure my synagogue's success and caused the black eye of anti-semitism towards the Jews of Teaneck, falsify documents to speed through approvals from the building dept., I would be damn sure that Mara D'Atra of my Congregation, Etz Chaim of Teaneck, would be on every announcement, flyer or advertisement that features him. The honorable Rabbi Daniel Feldman.
I don't understand how Rabbi Feldman is going to act as a moral compass for others when he is the Rabbi of a synagogue that is unethical in their dealings with money and the township.
I guess he must have explained it at Beth Aaron earlier in the month when he spoke on the topic of: Lashon Hora L'Toeles-Permissible Lashon Hora. The description of the shiur is that it is a continuation of a shiur dealing with when lashon hora can be justified, i.e. for shidduchim, or business matters.
Just what the guys and gals at Morgan Stanley need. Thank you YU!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Stroller Parking Validation
Things just got a bit more difficult for Etz Chaim members. Due to new township initiatives to raise money and to help balance the budget, Etz Chaim must now supply stroller parking spots, in addition to car parking spots. On a property where space is a premium, this may pose an additional difficulty to the synagogue and to new parents. Luckily, permits are not difficult to get.
Running errands and going to synagogue with a baby is never a task most mothers look forward to. It gets a little easier when you get to park in those neat stroller spots! Here's how you can get one for yourself and your baby.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes
Here's How:
1.You must have a baby. The back of the permit states that it can only be used "when traveling with a baby and a stroller."
2.The permits can be obtained at the Teaneck Health and Human Services office. The mother, father or legal guardian must present a photo ID.
3.Proof of the child's age is required in the form of a birth certificate. The permit is good until the child's third birthday.
4.The permit is very reasonably priced. There is a $1.50 service fee, and the permit is $0.50 per month.
5.You should know that cars with handicapped permits are also allowed to park in the baby stroller parking spots if there are no handicapped spots available.
Running errands and going to synagogue with a baby is never a task most mothers look forward to. It gets a little easier when you get to park in those neat stroller spots! Here's how you can get one for yourself and your baby.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes
Here's How:
1.You must have a baby. The back of the permit states that it can only be used "when traveling with a baby and a stroller."
2.The permits can be obtained at the Teaneck Health and Human Services office. The mother, father or legal guardian must present a photo ID.
3.Proof of the child's age is required in the form of a birth certificate. The permit is good until the child's third birthday.
4.The permit is very reasonably priced. There is a $1.50 service fee, and the permit is $0.50 per month.
5.You should know that cars with handicapped permits are also allowed to park in the baby stroller parking spots if there are no handicapped spots available.
What You Need:
•Parent/legal guardian photo I.D.
•Baby's proof of age
•Cash or check for the processing fee
There is a 2 week wait for the permit to arrive by mail.
Be aware that all violators will be fined $500 per illegal parking offense, so get your permit today!
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Guralnik Connection
Robert Erlich and Rabbi Daniel Feldman claim that there is no connection between Mario (Mordechai) Guralnik and Etz Chaim. Mr. Guralnik is not involved with running or operating Etz Chaim. Something happened to convince the neighbors otherwise:
This is from The Bergen Record December 16, 2009
Part of the hostility stems from long-standing tension between the neighbors and another resident, Mario Guralnik, who owns the house next door and once sent letters to the neighbors about combining the two properties to form a "synagogue center," before Feldman moved in.
That's pretty wild. What did Robert Erlich, the President of Etz Chaim have to say about these letters?
This is from The Bergen Record on December 18, 2009.
Robert Erlich, the president of Etz Chaim, was the sole witness to testify, first under examination from his attorney and then from several residents who were clearly dubious about the group's plans.
Several neighbors brought up two letters sent in 2006 on behalf of Mario Guralnik, who owns the adjacent home and is a member of Etz Chaim. The letters claimed the two properties would be combined to form a synagogue center.
Erlich said repeatedly that the letters were written before his group even existed.
"I can't emphasize this enough," Erlich said. "That letter preceded any thought of my organization purchasing the property. That letter has nothing to do with the proceeding tonight or with what goes on at 554 Queen Anne Road."
Guralnik has said the letters were intended as a courtesy and that the plans fell through.
In fact at the Board of Adjustments hearing on December 16, 2009 Erlich went as far as saying that he doesn't know the person who wrote the letters. This is from the transcript from that hearing:
MS. CAMPEAS: I'm sorry. I want to know why the neighbors on my block as far back as three years ago received threatening letters from somebody that's still untraceable, but came from 576 Queen Anne Road talking about a mikvah being built there, an original bath which is quite a large building, and also --
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Wait, wait, wait. That's one question, right?
MS. CAMPEAS: Well, there are three parts to it.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Well, just one question at a time.
MS. CAMPEAS: Okay.
THE WITNESS: 576 is not a part of this variance hearing.
MS. CAMPEAS: Why was there a hole opened between the fence where the children from your family room are playing in the backyard of 576?
MR. RITVO: Let me help you, ma'am, if I could. Do you know anything about the letters that she's describing?
THE WITNESS: Since they've come up on blogs, et cetera.
MR. RITVO: Did you know about these letters three years ago?
THE WITNESS: No.
MR. RITVO: To your knowledge did anyone in your congregation, that's associated with your group or congregation write those letters?
THE WITNESS: No one in an official capacity.
MACDMUSINGS BREAK IN THE ACTION:
PRESIDENT ROBERT ERLICH JUST SAID THAT THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE LETTERS DOES NOT REPRESENT HIS CONGREGATION IN AN OFFICIAL CAPACITY.
MR. RITVO: Well, does official --
VOICE: Official.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Do you know if anyone that wrote these letters?
THE WITNESS: I do not know the person who wrote the letter.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Do you know.
MEMBER LEVINE: What is 576?
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Okay, let's -- sir, Mr. Erlich, just so we can get to this. Do you know about these letters? Have you heard about them?
THE WITNESS: I've seen letters writ by a woman named Betty Gable. I've not -- I do not know who she is.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: You don't know who she is?
THE WITNESS: No.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Is she a member of your congregation?
THE WITNESS: No.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Has she ever tried to join the congregation.
THE WITNESS: No.
MACDMUSINGS BREAK IN THE ACTION:
PRESIDENT ROBERT ERLICH JUST SAID THAT THE PERSON WHO WROTE THE LETTERS IS NOT A MEMBER OF HIS CONGREGATION NOR DOES HE KNOW WHO THE PERSON IS.
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Okay. Does 576 belong or associated with your property?
THE WITNESS: Absolutely not.
MS. CAMPEAS: The letter, okay --
ACTING CHAIRMAN HODGES: Is there a hole in a fence where your congregation can go onto the property of 576?
THE WITNESS: No, there is not.
VOICE: As of last week.
MS. CAMPEAS: How do I put into a
question I beg to differ?
But anyway what I'd like to say is that the letter actually came from 554/576. These were letters that were sent to us, and it was called the New Nosic (phonetic) congregation and it was considered -- they wanted to be called the Treasure of Teaneck?
MR. RITVO: Let me stop you, ma'am.
MS. CAMPEAS: So I want to know about this.
MR. RITVO: Let me explain the process, please for your own benefit.
MS. CAMPEAS: Yes.
MR. RITVO: This is a time Mr. Chairman has set for you to ask questions.
MS. CAMPEAS: Yes.
MR. RITVO: You can raise whatever issues you wish in questions about this and then when it's your turn to present proofs or testimony.
MS. CAMPEAS: Uh-huh.
MR. RITVO: You can rebut it, and present whatever proofs you have about where the letter came from and why you think it's relevant for the Board to consider.
MS. CAMPEAS: I can say so --
MR. RITVO: But now is the time question.
MS. CAMPEAS: Okay. So I want to know --
MR. RITVO: If you think of a question --
MS. CAMPEAS: Okay. I will continue with a question, sir.
I want to know why these letters were sent from both residences to us if there is no connection between the two?
THE WITNESS: I can't answer for something that was done before we owned the residence.
MS. CAMPEAS: That's okay. Thank you.
Mr. Robert Erlich was caught in what is known as a LIE. He has been President of Etz Chaim since its existence. He is privy to ALL the information of their planning and operations meetings. He is the boss and he is the President. Mr. Guralnik admitted in news articles that he wrote the letters. Isn't he a member of Etz Chaim? You know who he is, you know he's a member and you know that he prays there.
Maybe this next article will refresh Robert's memory:
From The Bergen Record December 18, 2008
The origins of the dispute stem from years of quarreling between Mordechai “Mario” Guralnik, who owns the adjacent property at 576 Queen Anne Road and prays with Etz Chaim, and some of his neighbors.
After neighbor complaints, Guralnik was cited for various zoning violations in 2006 and 2007, including running a business from his home. Guralnik pleaded guilty to all the charges and paid fines, according to court records.
Soon after the first citation, neighbors received two letters six months apart in 2006 announcing plans to build a “synagogue center” on both properties at 554 and 576 Queen Anne Road.
Several neighbors took the letters as veiled threats. Though Guralnik and Feldman say they have no concrete plans at present to build a synagogue, the neighbors see the prayer group as the first step in that direction — without having submitted to the zoning process.
“It was clearly done to intimidate people,” Abbott said of the letters. “That sort of set a frame. And then when these other things started happening, and there was no process, it just became a very threatening experience.”
Guralnik said that the letters were meant to be informative and that the plans simply fell through.
Feldman said he was aware of the problems between Guralnik and some neighbors but said they had nothing to do with Etz Chaim, which is not run or operated by Guralnik
But that is not the case. He is very much involved and runs and operates a part of Etz Chaim. Robert Erlich testified that the writer of the letters does not represent or have anything to do with Etz Chaim. Rabbi Daniel Feldman intimated that Etz Chaim is not run or operated by Mario Guralnik. Well Rabbi Feldman, how do you explain etzchaimteaneck.org and other Etz Chaim of Teaneck online endeavors?
I cut the through the fake information posted on whois.com (as discussed on http://macdmusings.blogspot.com/2010/04/whois-etzchaimteaneckorg.html) and got to the real information about Rabbi Feldman's website.
I searched on http://cqcounter.com/whois/ and got the REAL information of who is the registrar and administrator behind etzchaimteaneck.org. It is a SHOCKER!
ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG - Domain Information
Domain ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG [ Site Info Traceroute RBL/DNSBL lookup ]
Registrar Register.com Inc. (R71-LROR)
Whois server whois.publicinterestregistry.net
Created 26-May-2008
Updated 12-Apr-2010
Expires 26-May-2010
Time Left 41 days 23 hours 24 minutes
Status CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
DNS servers DNS010.D.REGISTER.COM 216.21.236.10
DNS039.C.REGISTER.COM DNS039.C.REGISTER.COM
DNS152.A.REGISTER.COM DNS152.A.REGISTER.COM
DNS186.B.REGISTER.COM DNS186.B.REGISTER.COM
ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG - Geo Information
IP Address 96.9.36.174
Host etzchaimteaneck.org
Location US, United States
City New York, NY 10018
Organization Register.com
ISP Register.com
AS Number AS16805
Latitude 40°75'53" North
Longitude 73°99'24" West
Distance 7580.58 km (4710.35 miles)
Map Location World Map Google Maps Yahoo Maps Microsoft Live Maps
ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG - Whois Information
NOTICE: Access to .ORG WHOIS information is provided to assist persons in
determining the contents of a domain name registration record in the Public Interest Registry
registry database. The data in this record is provided by Public Interest Registry
for informational purposes. This service is intended only for query-based access. You agree
that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that, under no
circumstances will you use this data to: (a) allow, enable, or otherwise
support the transmission by e-mail, telephone, or facsimile of mass
unsolicited, commercial advertising or solicitations to entities other than
the data recipient's own existing customers; or (b) enable high volume,
automated, electronic processes that send queries or data to the systems of
Registry Operator or any ICANN-Accredited Registrar, except as reasonably
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Domain ID:D152819415-LROR
Domain Name:ETZCHAIMTEANECK.ORG
Created On:26-May-2008 14:51:25 UTC
Last Updated On:12-Apr-2010 19:37:03 UTC
Expiration Date:26-May-2010 14:51:25 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Register.com Inc. (R71-LROR)
Status:CLIENT TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:35006118636c1072
Registrant Name:admin3 etzchaimteaneck
Registrant Street1:554 Queen Anne Road
Registrant Street2:
Registrant Street3:
Registrant City:Teaneck
Registrant State/Province:NJ
Registrant Postal Code:07666
Registrant Country:US
Registrant Phone:+1.2019280700
Registrant Phone Ext.:
Registrant FAX:
Registrant FAX Ext.:
Registrant Email:admin3@etzchaimteaneck.org
Admin ID:2435674863943369
Admin Name:admin3 etzchaimteaneck
Admin Street1:554 Queen Anne Road
Admin Street2:
Admin Street3:
Admin City:Teaneck
Admin State/Province:NJ
Admin Postal Code:07666
Admin Country:US
Admin Phone:+1.2019280700
Admin Phone Ext.:
Admin FAX:
Admin FAX Ext.:
Admin Email:admin3@etzchaimteaneck.org
Tech ID:0261453863c67747
Tech Name:Domain Registrar
Tech Organization:Registercom
Tech Street1:575 8th Avenue
Tech Street2:
Tech Street3:
Tech City:New York
Tech State/Province:NY
Tech Postal Code:10018
Tech Country:US
Tech Phone:+1.9027492701
Tech Phone Ext.:
Tech FAX:+1.9027492701
Tech FAX Ext.:
Tech Email:domainregistrar@register.com
Name Server:DNS152.A.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:DNS186.B.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:DNS039.C.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:DNS010.D.REGISTER.COM
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
Name Server:
DNSSEC:Unsigned
So etzchaimteaneck.org was registered and is administraed by someone with the address 554 Queen Anne Rd, Teaneck, NJ and the phone number (201)928-0700. I assumed that it was Rabbi Feldman's phone number because he lives there.
You know what they say about ASS - U - ME ing
I did a reverse phone number search of (201)928-0700 on whitepages.com and guess who came up?
Mario Guralnik
576 Queen Anne Rd
Teaneck, NJ 07666-3328
(201) 928-0700
Job: Community Clinical Research Center, Member
On May 26, 2008 Mario Guralnik created Etz Chaim's website. On December 18, 2008 Rabbi Daniel Feldman intimated that Etz Chaim is not run or operated by Mario Guralnik and Robert Erlich testified on December 16, 2009, that the writer of the letters does not represent or have anything to do with Etz Chaim. He also said that 576 Queen Anne Rd has no connection to 554 Queen Anne Rd. No hole in the gate between the two properties and no parking guarantees from 576 Queen Anne or furniture built there and transported through the fence. Most of all, the owner/operator of their website used that property's phone number to register etzchaimteaneck.org. I guess there is no earthly connection, only an internet connection.
Rabbi Feldman, you must have lied for the sake of shalom, right?
Friday, April 16, 2010
whois-"etzchaimteaneck.org"?!?!?
Who is EtzChaimTeaneck.org?
The website suddenly mysteriously appeared.
When was it created and who is behind it?
According to a whois search, etzchaimteaneck.org has been around since May 26, 2008
and was Registered by
Domain Discreet ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac49f0a141151008701c8fba3cd53@domaindiscreet.com
Dr. Brito Camara must be a very prominent member of Etz Chaim.
The data in Register.com's WHOIS database is provided to you by
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obtaining information about or related to a domain name registration record. Register.com makes this information available "as is," and
does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that,
under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial
advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic mail, or by telephone; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to Register.com (or its systems).
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By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms.
Registrant:
Domain Discreet ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac49f0a141151008701c8fba3cd53@domaindiscreet.com
Registrar Name....: Register.com
Registrar Whois...: whois.register.com
Registrar Homepage: www.register.com
Domain Name: etzchaimteaneck.com
Created on..............: 2008-05-26 Expires on..............: 2011-05-26
Administrative Contact:
Domain Discreet ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac49c0a1411510088cced763677d6@domaindiscreet.com
Technical Contact: Domain Discreet
ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac4a50a141151002fac5279f7de00@domaindiscreet.com
DNS Servers: dns151.a.register.com
dns186.b.register.com
dns039.c.register.com
dns010.d.register.com
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This was registered while Etz Chaim claimed they were just a private prayer group. It must have been part of their discrete transparency with the township. This small group of incredible people are just upright pillars of the community.
The website suddenly mysteriously appeared.
When was it created and who is behind it?
According to a whois search, etzchaimteaneck.org has been around since May 26, 2008
and was Registered by
Domain Discreet ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac49f0a141151008701c8fba3cd53@domaindiscreet.com
Dr. Brito Camara must be a very prominent member of Etz Chaim.
The data in Register.com's WHOIS database is provided to you by
Register.com for information purposes only, that is, to assist you in
obtaining information about or related to a domain name registration record. Register.com makes this information available "as is," and
does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree that you will use this data only for lawful purposes and that,
under no circumstances will you use this data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial
advertising or solicitations via direct mail, electronic mail, or by telephone; or (2) enable high volume, automated, electronic processes
that apply to Register.com (or its systems).
Register.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by these terms.
Registrant:
Domain Discreet ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac49f0a141151008701c8fba3cd53@domaindiscreet.com
Registrar Name....: Register.com
Registrar Whois...: whois.register.com
Registrar Homepage: www.register.com
Domain Name: etzchaimteaneck.com
Created on..............: 2008-05-26 Expires on..............: 2011-05-26
Administrative Contact:
Domain Discreet ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac49c0a1411510088cced763677d6@domaindiscreet.com
Technical Contact: Domain Discreet
ATTN: etzchaimteaneck.com
Rua Dr. Brito Camara, n 20, 1 Funchal, Madeira 9000-039
PT Phone: 1-902-7495331
Email: f83ac4a50a141151002fac5279f7de00@domaindiscreet.com
DNS Servers: dns151.a.register.com
dns186.b.register.com
dns039.c.register.com
dns010.d.register.com
The Registry database contains ONLY .COM, .NET, .EDU domains and Registrars.
Print-friendly version
Do another WHOIS lookup
This was registered while Etz Chaim claimed they were just a private prayer group. It must have been part of their discrete transparency with the township. This small group of incredible people are just upright pillars of the community.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Under Pressure?????
Mazal tov to Etz Chaim of Teaneck for giving into macdmusings' pressure and for finally making the correct decision and cosponsoring the Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut program at Keter Torah along with the rest of Teaneck's Orthodox Community.
Mazal tov on acknowledging that you are a Shul and a Synagogue.
You should take more of Uncle Shluffy's sensible advice and make things right with your neighbors. Its still Nissan, our New Year as a Jewish Nation, start out the New Year the right way with a big Kiddush Hashem.
Mazal tov on acknowledging that you are a Shul and a Synagogue.
You should take more of Uncle Shluffy's sensible advice and make things right with your neighbors. Its still Nissan, our New Year as a Jewish Nation, start out the New Year the right way with a big Kiddush Hashem.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Communitiphobia-Updated for your pleasure!
Communitiphobia - the fear of being part of the community at large.
Etz Chaim of Teaneck is NOT cosponsoring the Teaneck Communitywide Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration. Anti-Zionists!
In all fairness, it is a weeknight, so if Etz Chaim is remembering and celebrating, they must be in CareOne. Hopefully the live band and wild celebrating for the State of Israel won't get in the way of the residents' attempts to sleep.
Updated April 12, 2010:
I must apologize to Etz Chaim of Teaneck. I didn't realize that they did sponsor to help participate in the community. Their community. Not the Teaneck Orthodox Community.
Their brand new website
www.etzchaimteaneck.org
Yes .org, is a featured sponsor website link when you search Etz Chaim of Teaneck on Google.
Yet another example of the screwed up priorities of the leadership of Etz Chaim. Instead of being inclusive and fostering positive goodwill in the community, they waste their money to publicize their single page website. Mazal tov!
Etz Chaim of Teaneck is NOT cosponsoring the Teaneck Communitywide Yom HaZikaron/Yom HaAtzmaut Celebration. Anti-Zionists!
I figure that if they are going through great lengths and controversy to create a synagogue just because Arzei Darom makes them uncomfortable, kal vakhomer that they should feel unconfortable to be around all the members of the orthodox synagogues in Teaneck. It must be true, because the Honorable Mr. Esteemed President Robert Erlich said so at a BOA meeting.
In all fairness, it is a weeknight, so if Etz Chaim is remembering and celebrating, they must be in CareOne. Hopefully the live band and wild celebrating for the State of Israel won't get in the way of the residents' attempts to sleep.
Updated April 12, 2010:
I must apologize to Etz Chaim of Teaneck. I didn't realize that they did sponsor to help participate in the community. Their community. Not the Teaneck Orthodox Community.
Their brand new website
www.etzchaimteaneck.org
Yes .org, is a featured sponsor website link when you search Etz Chaim of Teaneck on Google.
Yet another example of the screwed up priorities of the leadership of Etz Chaim. Instead of being inclusive and fostering positive goodwill in the community, they waste their money to publicize their single page website. Mazal tov!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Guest Posting: Goodbye Letter
by TiredOfTruthiness
For those of you still on the fence about whether or not Rabbi Feldman and his Etz Chaim congregants premeditated their leave from the Center to create a minyan without the members of the Mechitzah Minyan, here are some excerpts from Rabbi Feldman’s goodbye letter to the Board of the Jewish Center of Teaneck.
April 18, 2007
Rabbi Feldman explains his credentials to people who still look at him as little Daniel while taking a jab at the Board that would have loved to pay him for his services:
It must be understood that accepting this position was in no way in my professional interest, nor did I have reason to believe it would be. I was not seeking employment, nor was I in any way bored. While many in the Center remember me as a child growing up within its walls, it appears to be necessary to point out that I am no longer a child. I have what amounts to three rabbinic degrees, I have written four books, co-edited another six, and sit on the panel that sets halachic policy for the Rabbinical Council of America. I have been a faculty member at Yeshiva University since before I completed my studies there, and I serve there as well in the capacity of resource director and consultant for rabbis across the US and beyond. While the Jewish Center may not feel it is worth paying to have me speak, more than sixty synagogues and organizations in five countries have felt differently. I work three jobs to support my family, and those three together require less time, effort, and emotion than has my unpaid position with the Jewish Center.
Rabbi Feldman refused to be hired as an employee of the Center. He could have been paid as a Assistant or Associate Rabbi to Rabbi Zierler:
In accepting this position, I knowingly sacrificed the status, stability, respect, and financial compensation that would come from any normal position I could have taken elsewhere. (Even had the committed stipends been paid, it would have been a fraction of what I would have earned in any other role). I accepted this position because I believed that I could provide a service to the shul that my parents lovingly served for decades, and continue to serve with selfless devotion, and I believed I could honor them as well with such service. I accepted because I had so much love, affection, and respect for the members of the Center I grew up knowing. I accepted because I believed in the potential for the Center to go from past strength to future strength, as a truly unique model of the best the Jewish people can bring together.
The Mechitzah Minyan had been in existence for 2-3 years, years!, before Rabbi Feldman sat in front of the multipurpose room in the Schechter Space:
And for a while, that potential was on its way to being realized. A truly remarkable group of people assembled over a relatively short period of time, and formed a minyan with whom it has been a profound honor to associate. The minyan quickly earned a glowing reputation throughout the Teaneck community and way beyond.
This truly remarkable group of people assembled over a relatively short period of time couldn’t possibly be talking about the members that were there when Rabbi Feldman arrived. The only group that assembled in a short period of time were the Arzei Refugees.
For all of you who were unhappy with the merger with the Teaneck Shul/Shtibul because of their want and need to destroy Arzei Darom, it is important to reread the first sentence of this paragraph. Etz Chaim’s structure was created to undermine and to hurt Arzei Darom and Rabbi Ciment:
It is important to emphasize that I would never participate in any structure that would undermine the hired rabbi of any shul.The complicated situation in the Center could only have worked in one of two ways. One way is a prearranged dual rabbi structure, which is what I was being told was the plan during the earlier phases of the rabbinic search. If that was no longer to be the plan, as indeed it was not when Rabbi Zierler was hired, the only other way it could work is through the rabbi himself agreeing to and allowing such a structure. To that end, I tried extremely hard to meet with Rabbi Zierler before his arrival to discuss it with him, and was at one point prepared to go to Israel to do so. I was under the impression that the RCBC letter was written with Rabbi Zierler’s participation and consent. Were that not to be the case, I would not have stayed. Now that it is clear that Rabbi Zierler is not comfortable with that arrangement, I would not want to cooperate in any plan that will undermine his authority.
I am putting my eye on Rabbi Feldman calling the Arzei people phenomenal again:
It is sadly ironic that one year ago this week, Rabbi Zierler visited the Center for his second shabbos, and spoke about the linguistic connection between the Hebrew words “nega”, affliction, and “oneg”, pleasure. The two words are spelled the same, but for the placement of the letter “ayin”, which is also the Hebrew word for “eye”. Thus, the difference between suffering and celebrating is where one places the eye, with what perspective one chooses to assess the situation. The fact that a group of people so phenomenal can be subjected to such undeserved negativity is evidence that we have missed the message of Rabbi Zierler’s words.
However, I pray that my place will always be with those whose fault lies in that their dreams are too big and too noble, and not with those who stumble for meanness of spirit and limitation of vision.
Reading the Jerusalem Post, Bergen Record, Suburbanite, Blogs, Vos Is Neias, court transcripts, BOA transcripts and other PUBLIC news sources, I have to say Rabbi Feldman’s prayers have not been answered.
Finally, I extend my profound apologies to Rabbi Zierler for all he has gone through with this matter. There is no denying he has been put into a very difficult position. He is a man of great talent, vision, and commitment, and I wish him only success as he works to bring the Center to the next level. He has done much, in a short time, to enhance the shul and I look forward to hearing about his progress.
Rabbi Zierler is bringing the Center to the next level.
The first thing I said to Rabbi Zierler, during our first meeting, was that our minyan supports him fully and can be his best friend. I continue to believe this could have been the case, and I regret that circumstances went in the direction that they did. Nonetheless, we recognize, as we always have, Rabbi Zierler’s right and responsibility to take the congregation in the direction he sees to be the best.
What congregation did you leave behind for Rabbi Zierler? Rabbi Feldman took everyone with him. The mantra at the time was that everyone has freewill and they left on their own, but Rabbi Feldman's letter shut everyone out of the Center.
Mechitzah Minyan members, this is the paragraph that foreshadowed your abandonment and cold shoulder from Rabbi Feldman and the Arzei Refugees:
I have turned down a number of extremely tempting job offers over the past few years. Among other reasons, I was unwilling to part ways with the extraordinary group that had been formed here. Now, I am gratified to see that a number of different opportunities have materialized both for myself and the minayn, that will allow both a more normal professional structure and my continued association with this remarkable chevra.
CareOne? Chadwick? Nope – Van Buren and a merger with The Teaneck Shul/Shtibul led by Elliot Frome, Zalman Levine and Allan Cohen (a.k.a. – The Remarkable Chevra). They are all part of the group Rabbi Feldman leads today.
You read the comments on the blogs and you read Etz Chaim’s supporters write that everyone who is not part of their Shul should just move on. Its easy for them to say. I am embarrassed when people ask me if I still go to Rabbi Feldman’s minyan. They move from controversy to controversy. Their actions do not represent any of the people they left behind. Etz Chaim should do their share to make it easier for all of us to move on, by making peace with their neighbors and the township. Only then we will all truly know shalom.
by TiredOfTruthiness
For those of you still on the fence about whether or not Rabbi Feldman and his Etz Chaim congregants premeditated their leave from the Center to create a minyan without the members of the Mechitzah Minyan, here are some excerpts from Rabbi Feldman’s goodbye letter to the Board of the Jewish Center of Teaneck.
April 18, 2007
Rabbi Feldman explains his credentials to people who still look at him as little Daniel while taking a jab at the Board that would have loved to pay him for his services:
It must be understood that accepting this position was in no way in my professional interest, nor did I have reason to believe it would be. I was not seeking employment, nor was I in any way bored. While many in the Center remember me as a child growing up within its walls, it appears to be necessary to point out that I am no longer a child. I have what amounts to three rabbinic degrees, I have written four books, co-edited another six, and sit on the panel that sets halachic policy for the Rabbinical Council of America. I have been a faculty member at Yeshiva University since before I completed my studies there, and I serve there as well in the capacity of resource director and consultant for rabbis across the US and beyond. While the Jewish Center may not feel it is worth paying to have me speak, more than sixty synagogues and organizations in five countries have felt differently. I work three jobs to support my family, and those three together require less time, effort, and emotion than has my unpaid position with the Jewish Center.
Rabbi Feldman refused to be hired as an employee of the Center. He could have been paid as a Assistant or Associate Rabbi to Rabbi Zierler:
In accepting this position, I knowingly sacrificed the status, stability, respect, and financial compensation that would come from any normal position I could have taken elsewhere. (Even had the committed stipends been paid, it would have been a fraction of what I would have earned in any other role). I accepted this position because I believed that I could provide a service to the shul that my parents lovingly served for decades, and continue to serve with selfless devotion, and I believed I could honor them as well with such service. I accepted because I had so much love, affection, and respect for the members of the Center I grew up knowing. I accepted because I believed in the potential for the Center to go from past strength to future strength, as a truly unique model of the best the Jewish people can bring together.
The Mechitzah Minyan had been in existence for 2-3 years, years!, before Rabbi Feldman sat in front of the multipurpose room in the Schechter Space:
And for a while, that potential was on its way to being realized. A truly remarkable group of people assembled over a relatively short period of time, and formed a minyan with whom it has been a profound honor to associate. The minyan quickly earned a glowing reputation throughout the Teaneck community and way beyond.
This truly remarkable group of people assembled over a relatively short period of time couldn’t possibly be talking about the members that were there when Rabbi Feldman arrived. The only group that assembled in a short period of time were the Arzei Refugees.
For all of you who were unhappy with the merger with the Teaneck Shul/Shtibul because of their want and need to destroy Arzei Darom, it is important to reread the first sentence of this paragraph. Etz Chaim’s structure was created to undermine and to hurt Arzei Darom and Rabbi Ciment:
It is important to emphasize that I would never participate in any structure that would undermine the hired rabbi of any shul.The complicated situation in the Center could only have worked in one of two ways. One way is a prearranged dual rabbi structure, which is what I was being told was the plan during the earlier phases of the rabbinic search. If that was no longer to be the plan, as indeed it was not when Rabbi Zierler was hired, the only other way it could work is through the rabbi himself agreeing to and allowing such a structure. To that end, I tried extremely hard to meet with Rabbi Zierler before his arrival to discuss it with him, and was at one point prepared to go to Israel to do so. I was under the impression that the RCBC letter was written with Rabbi Zierler’s participation and consent. Were that not to be the case, I would not have stayed. Now that it is clear that Rabbi Zierler is not comfortable with that arrangement, I would not want to cooperate in any plan that will undermine his authority.
I am putting my eye on Rabbi Feldman calling the Arzei people phenomenal again:
It is sadly ironic that one year ago this week, Rabbi Zierler visited the Center for his second shabbos, and spoke about the linguistic connection between the Hebrew words “nega”, affliction, and “oneg”, pleasure. The two words are spelled the same, but for the placement of the letter “ayin”, which is also the Hebrew word for “eye”. Thus, the difference between suffering and celebrating is where one places the eye, with what perspective one chooses to assess the situation. The fact that a group of people so phenomenal can be subjected to such undeserved negativity is evidence that we have missed the message of Rabbi Zierler’s words.
However, I pray that my place will always be with those whose fault lies in that their dreams are too big and too noble, and not with those who stumble for meanness of spirit and limitation of vision.
Reading the Jerusalem Post, Bergen Record, Suburbanite, Blogs, Vos Is Neias, court transcripts, BOA transcripts and other PUBLIC news sources, I have to say Rabbi Feldman’s prayers have not been answered.
Finally, I extend my profound apologies to Rabbi Zierler for all he has gone through with this matter. There is no denying he has been put into a very difficult position. He is a man of great talent, vision, and commitment, and I wish him only success as he works to bring the Center to the next level. He has done much, in a short time, to enhance the shul and I look forward to hearing about his progress.
Rabbi Zierler is bringing the Center to the next level.
The first thing I said to Rabbi Zierler, during our first meeting, was that our minyan supports him fully and can be his best friend. I continue to believe this could have been the case, and I regret that circumstances went in the direction that they did. Nonetheless, we recognize, as we always have, Rabbi Zierler’s right and responsibility to take the congregation in the direction he sees to be the best.
What congregation did you leave behind for Rabbi Zierler? Rabbi Feldman took everyone with him. The mantra at the time was that everyone has freewill and they left on their own, but Rabbi Feldman's letter shut everyone out of the Center.
Mechitzah Minyan members, this is the paragraph that foreshadowed your abandonment and cold shoulder from Rabbi Feldman and the Arzei Refugees:
I have turned down a number of extremely tempting job offers over the past few years. Among other reasons, I was unwilling to part ways with the extraordinary group that had been formed here. Now, I am gratified to see that a number of different opportunities have materialized both for myself and the minayn, that will allow both a more normal professional structure and my continued association with this remarkable chevra.
CareOne? Chadwick? Nope – Van Buren and a merger with The Teaneck Shul/Shtibul led by Elliot Frome, Zalman Levine and Allan Cohen (a.k.a. – The Remarkable Chevra). They are all part of the group Rabbi Feldman leads today.
You read the comments on the blogs and you read Etz Chaim’s supporters write that everyone who is not part of their Shul should just move on. Its easy for them to say. I am embarrassed when people ask me if I still go to Rabbi Feldman’s minyan. They move from controversy to controversy. Their actions do not represent any of the people they left behind. Etz Chaim should do their share to make it easier for all of us to move on, by making peace with their neighbors and the township. Only then we will all truly know shalom.
by TiredOfTruthiness
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Educational Solutions
Everyone in Teaneck is talking education. Educational reform, budget cuts and rising taxes are the latest watercooler/Kiddush talk. Here at macdmusings, the discussion is not about the scope and range of the problem, but practical creative solutions to help fix the educational system.
Teaneck's HS students need to increase the level of their working vocabulary. Macdmusings has compiled a list of vital SAT words geared to improve their scores on their SATs.
1. grifter - Master of the sleight of hand. Taking checks written out to and intended for one organization and depositing it into another. Etz Chaim's Elliot Frome is the epitome of a grifter. It helps to have a gambling pedigree and a gambler's genetics.
2. deserter - Running away like a little coward when the road gets tough. Gary Miller is a shining example of what someone knee deep in Etz Chaim's shadiness does when the doodoo is hitting the fan.
3. destabilization - After April 15, she will have been actively involved with 3 different synagogues in the span of 5 years. Elliot Frome's partner in signing false documents, Ms. Rochelle Mandelbaum is a destabilizing presence causing major problems for the synagogue and then leaving. Etz Chaim, Arzei Darom and now Beth Aaron, will your synagogue be next?
4. humble - Not blushing every time one of your followers lets anyone who will listen know that you should already be a Rosh Yeshiva at YU, is a true sign of humility.
5. marionette - Robert Erlich, as abrasive as he is, is merely a puppet of Etz Chaim's true leadership. He is a true member of Bnei Yekusiel.
6. visionary - The jackass who came up with genius idea to call the shtibshul a family room. Another example of a visionary is Allan Cohen, creator and originator of Torat Chesed, Toras Chesed and 554 Queen Anne Road, Inc. He must have learned strategy from the "Godfather" of Video Poker Lenny Frome's books.
7. protexia - Being bbfs with Rabbi Rothwachs, Rabbi Yuden's son in law, being a card carrying member of YU's semikha club and being the golden child of the RCBC.
8. congenial - From their dealings with Arzei Darom and the Jewish Center to Betty Gable's letters and today's frosty war with their neighbors, Etz Chaim and it's members are synonymous with congeniality towards others.
9. quiescent - The inaction of the local Rabbis towards Etz Chaim and their claims of discrimination.
10. discrimination - Etz Chaim's portrayal of Teaneck and all local non-Jews.
I hope you learned a lot from this lesson. Score high SAT Takers. Score high.
Teaneck's HS students need to increase the level of their working vocabulary. Macdmusings has compiled a list of vital SAT words geared to improve their scores on their SATs.
1. grifter - Master of the sleight of hand. Taking checks written out to and intended for one organization and depositing it into another. Etz Chaim's Elliot Frome is the epitome of a grifter. It helps to have a gambling pedigree and a gambler's genetics.
2. deserter - Running away like a little coward when the road gets tough. Gary Miller is a shining example of what someone knee deep in Etz Chaim's shadiness does when the doodoo is hitting the fan.
3. destabilization - After April 15, she will have been actively involved with 3 different synagogues in the span of 5 years. Elliot Frome's partner in signing false documents, Ms. Rochelle Mandelbaum is a destabilizing presence causing major problems for the synagogue and then leaving. Etz Chaim, Arzei Darom and now Beth Aaron, will your synagogue be next?
4. humble - Not blushing every time one of your followers lets anyone who will listen know that you should already be a Rosh Yeshiva at YU, is a true sign of humility.
5. marionette - Robert Erlich, as abrasive as he is, is merely a puppet of Etz Chaim's true leadership. He is a true member of Bnei Yekusiel.
6. visionary - The jackass who came up with genius idea to call the shtibshul a family room. Another example of a visionary is Allan Cohen, creator and originator of Torat Chesed, Toras Chesed and 554 Queen Anne Road, Inc. He must have learned strategy from the "Godfather" of Video Poker Lenny Frome's books.
7. protexia - Being bbfs with Rabbi Rothwachs, Rabbi Yuden's son in law, being a card carrying member of YU's semikha club and being the golden child of the RCBC.
8. congenial - From their dealings with Arzei Darom and the Jewish Center to Betty Gable's letters and today's frosty war with their neighbors, Etz Chaim and it's members are synonymous with congeniality towards others.
9. quiescent - The inaction of the local Rabbis towards Etz Chaim and their claims of discrimination.
10. discrimination - Etz Chaim's portrayal of Teaneck and all local non-Jews.
I hope you learned a lot from this lesson. Score high SAT Takers. Score high.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Paradise Lost
Once upon a time, Rabbi Daniel Feldman and his minyan were victims of slavery in the bondage of the Jewish Center of Teaneck. Rabbi Feldman couldn't handle the edicts of the spiritual ruler of the JCT, Pharoh Zierler. His 3Cs were mightier than 10 plagues and so Rabbi Feldman wrote a letter severing the relationship of the Jewish Center and the Orthodox members of his minyan. The letter was read at a Board Meeting and in doing so, he sacrificed the goodwill that was left between the Board of the Jewish Center and the Mechitza Minyan members of Merkaz L'Torah that would have stayed behind. He led his congregants out of the bondage of slavery in the Jewish Center of Teaneck and to the promised land of self determination. Pharoh Zierler did not chase after the Center members that left. Que Sera Sera. Pharoh Zierler had his own plans for the future of Orthodoxy at the Jewish Center of Teaneck.
Rabbi Feldman, and his group of Orthodox that left the Center with him, wandered from house to house in the wilderness until they set up temporary camp in CareOne. There were a few weeks of calm and stability. Rabbi Feldman set up a Board that he was to lean on for guidance and advice, but they were not taken seriously. His advisors, who guided Rabbi Daniel Feldman to remove his minyan from the Jewish Center, were still in charge and a rift began to form. The Original Mechitza Minyan members who trailblazed the way for the Orthodox community to feel comfortable at the Jewish Center of Teaneck were quickly relegated to the background and the amazing group of people that came together in such a short period of time moved to the forefront.
The group was named Torat Chesed, Torah of Kindness, and were incorporated, in May 2007, using the names of Original Mechitza Minyan members who did not approve the usage of their names on the documents of incorporation. There was talk of the group merging with The Teaneck Shul, a prayer group located near Arzei Darom, a prayer group that was allegedly begun to help their friend with his courtcase. There was talk of getting Rabbi Feldman paid, buying a house on Chadwick, being a satellite for the Teaneck Mikvah and other issues to distract the Original Mechitza Minyan members. Very soon there were activities attempting to get the two groups, the Teaneck Shul and Torat Chesed, to get to know each other, to possibly merge.
Finally, everything came to a head when Rabbi Daniel Feldman took a job with the Teaneck Shul, complete with salary and 554 Queen Anne Rd, and left the Original Mechitzah Minyan members in the wilderness of CareOne. All of his new friends left with him. To add insult to injury, he designated CareOne as a sattelite minyan for his Congregants to pray there on Sundays and Legal Holidays. His new Congregation incorporated in September 2007 as 554 Queen Anne, Inc. DBA: Etz Chaim of Teaneck.
While all of this was going on, from May to September 2007, Torat Chesed collected donations and dues for membership. Checks were being made to Torat Chesed and being cashed in the Torat Chesed bank account. In or about July, there was a change of address where donations and dues were to be sent and there was a request for checks to be made out to ToraS Chesed instead of ToraT Chesed. Monies that were earmarked checks written out for ToraT Chesed, were being deposited in a ToraS Chesed bank account. What was the need for a second bank account? Inquiries were made as to why there was a change and they were greated with a flippant attitude. Some people were told that some people say Tora"t" and some say Tora"s". Its just a matter of what pronunciation you were brought up with. Some inquiries were met with extreme venom.
There was to be no land of Milk and Honey, no giant grapes or land for the hapless Orthodox people that didn't follow Rabbi Feldman to the Promised Land, to the land of strong Cedar trees in the South, on the Path of Peace near the House of Aaron. Rabbi Feldman did what was best for himself and his family, in the short term, while harming his reputation and shirking his duties as the leader of all of his people. He tried to keep the peace by silencing the voices opposed to the merger and abandoning them in CareOne.
Those that were left behind were also defrauded by Rabbi Feldman's Minyan, 554 Queen Anne Rd, Inc DBA: Etz Chaim of Teaneck. It is unclear if Rabbi Feldman was personally involved with any of the shady dealings of his minyan's and now synagogue's leadership and Management Team.
ToraS Chesed is a corporation created in early July 2007 by the same person who incorporated ToraT Chesed. The names listed on the Documents of Incorporation of ToraS Chesed are same as 554 Queen Anne, Inc. From early July 2007-September ToraT Chesed, Inc. and ToraS Chesed, Inc. existed to service the same exact minyan.
The existence of ToraS Chesed, Inc. was kept secret from the Original Mechitza Minyan members. The ToraT Chesed checks were being deposited in the ToraS Chesed corporate bank account. ToraT Chesed's bank account's passbook began to collect dust from non-use.
Donors and members who wrote checks to ToraT were asked to sign a release absolving ToraS Chesed of any liability. Liability? What was/is 554 Queen Anne,Inc. DBA: Etz Chaim of Teaneck afraid of? ToraT Chesed and ToraS Chesed monies were one and the same! Right? ToraT Chesed already existed to represent Rabbi Daniel Feldman and all of his Congregants praying in CareOne. What was/is ToraS Chesed, Inc. and who did/does it represent? What is it's purpose?
ToraS Chesed, Inc. was created to collect money for Etz Chaim's future at 554 Queen Anne Rd. They knew that the ToraT Chesed members not following Rabbi Feldman to Etz Chaim would stop paying dues and donating money once they closed on 554 Queen Anne Rd. Its been alleged that they closed on 554 as ToraS Chesed, Inc. They tried to cover themselves by trying to get the ToraT Chesed donors and dues payers to sign a waiver absolving ToraS Chesed, Inc.of any liability and that they will not take any legal action against ToraS Chesed, Inc. After a ton of pressure, ToraS Chesed, Inc. became the Etz Chaim of Teaneck that we know and love.
Etz Chaim wants the Board of Adjustments to forget their history and their shady past. But as the BOA and the neighbors found out very quickly The Song Remains The Same.
It is upon us, this time of year, to remember and retell all that has befallen our old dear friends of the, now defunct, Mechitza Minyan. Please come home to the Jewish Center of Teaneck, your home until Moshiach comes.
Rabbi Feldman, and his group of Orthodox that left the Center with him, wandered from house to house in the wilderness until they set up temporary camp in CareOne. There were a few weeks of calm and stability. Rabbi Feldman set up a Board that he was to lean on for guidance and advice, but they were not taken seriously. His advisors, who guided Rabbi Daniel Feldman to remove his minyan from the Jewish Center, were still in charge and a rift began to form. The Original Mechitza Minyan members who trailblazed the way for the Orthodox community to feel comfortable at the Jewish Center of Teaneck were quickly relegated to the background and the amazing group of people that came together in such a short period of time moved to the forefront.
The group was named Torat Chesed, Torah of Kindness, and were incorporated, in May 2007, using the names of Original Mechitza Minyan members who did not approve the usage of their names on the documents of incorporation. There was talk of the group merging with The Teaneck Shul, a prayer group located near Arzei Darom, a prayer group that was allegedly begun to help their friend with his courtcase. There was talk of getting Rabbi Feldman paid, buying a house on Chadwick, being a satellite for the Teaneck Mikvah and other issues to distract the Original Mechitza Minyan members. Very soon there were activities attempting to get the two groups, the Teaneck Shul and Torat Chesed, to get to know each other, to possibly merge.
Finally, everything came to a head when Rabbi Daniel Feldman took a job with the Teaneck Shul, complete with salary and 554 Queen Anne Rd, and left the Original Mechitzah Minyan members in the wilderness of CareOne. All of his new friends left with him. To add insult to injury, he designated CareOne as a sattelite minyan for his Congregants to pray there on Sundays and Legal Holidays. His new Congregation incorporated in September 2007 as 554 Queen Anne, Inc. DBA: Etz Chaim of Teaneck.
While all of this was going on, from May to September 2007, Torat Chesed collected donations and dues for membership. Checks were being made to Torat Chesed and being cashed in the Torat Chesed bank account. In or about July, there was a change of address where donations and dues were to be sent and there was a request for checks to be made out to ToraS Chesed instead of ToraT Chesed. Monies that were earmarked checks written out for ToraT Chesed, were being deposited in a ToraS Chesed bank account. What was the need for a second bank account? Inquiries were made as to why there was a change and they were greated with a flippant attitude. Some people were told that some people say Tora"t" and some say Tora"s". Its just a matter of what pronunciation you were brought up with. Some inquiries were met with extreme venom.
There was to be no land of Milk and Honey, no giant grapes or land for the hapless Orthodox people that didn't follow Rabbi Feldman to the Promised Land, to the land of strong Cedar trees in the South, on the Path of Peace near the House of Aaron. Rabbi Feldman did what was best for himself and his family, in the short term, while harming his reputation and shirking his duties as the leader of all of his people. He tried to keep the peace by silencing the voices opposed to the merger and abandoning them in CareOne.
Those that were left behind were also defrauded by Rabbi Feldman's Minyan, 554 Queen Anne Rd, Inc DBA: Etz Chaim of Teaneck. It is unclear if Rabbi Feldman was personally involved with any of the shady dealings of his minyan's and now synagogue's leadership and Management Team.
ToraS Chesed is a corporation created in early July 2007 by the same person who incorporated ToraT Chesed. The names listed on the Documents of Incorporation of ToraS Chesed are same as 554 Queen Anne, Inc. From early July 2007-September ToraT Chesed, Inc. and ToraS Chesed, Inc. existed to service the same exact minyan.
The existence of ToraS Chesed, Inc. was kept secret from the Original Mechitza Minyan members. The ToraT Chesed checks were being deposited in the ToraS Chesed corporate bank account. ToraT Chesed's bank account's passbook began to collect dust from non-use.
Donors and members who wrote checks to ToraT were asked to sign a release absolving ToraS Chesed of any liability. Liability? What was/is 554 Queen Anne,Inc. DBA: Etz Chaim of Teaneck afraid of? ToraT Chesed and ToraS Chesed monies were one and the same! Right? ToraT Chesed already existed to represent Rabbi Daniel Feldman and all of his Congregants praying in CareOne. What was/is ToraS Chesed, Inc. and who did/does it represent? What is it's purpose?
ToraS Chesed, Inc. was created to collect money for Etz Chaim's future at 554 Queen Anne Rd. They knew that the ToraT Chesed members not following Rabbi Feldman to Etz Chaim would stop paying dues and donating money once they closed on 554 Queen Anne Rd. Its been alleged that they closed on 554 as ToraS Chesed, Inc. They tried to cover themselves by trying to get the ToraT Chesed donors and dues payers to sign a waiver absolving ToraS Chesed, Inc.of any liability and that they will not take any legal action against ToraS Chesed, Inc. After a ton of pressure, ToraS Chesed, Inc. became the Etz Chaim of Teaneck that we know and love.
Etz Chaim wants the Board of Adjustments to forget their history and their shady past. But as the BOA and the neighbors found out very quickly The Song Remains The Same.
It is upon us, this time of year, to remember and retell all that has befallen our old dear friends of the, now defunct, Mechitza Minyan. Please come home to the Jewish Center of Teaneck, your home until Moshiach comes.